The Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,000,000 (approximately)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (high volume of applications)
• Decision Time: Not specified (rolling basis)
• Grant Range: £100 - £100,000 (occasionally larger)
• Geographic Focus: North East England (primarily)

Contact Details

Address: 20 Eversley Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN40 1HE

Email: bexhill@gmpaccountants.co.uk (or enquires@catherinecookson.com)

Phone: 01424 210530

Website: www.catherinecookson.com

Application: Online application form available at catherinecookson.com/application-form/

Overview

Established in 1977, The Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust continues the philanthropic legacy of Dame Catherine Cookson following her death in 1998. With an investment portfolio valued at approximately £32 million (as of 2017), the Trust distributes around £1 million annually in grants to charitable organizations. The Trust receives ongoing royalty income from Dame Catherine's literary works, which forms a significant portion of its funding capacity. The Trust's principal aim is to identify and meet local needs in the North East of England, where Dame Catherine was raised and lived. While maintaining this regional focus, the Trust occasionally supports causes that held special interest to Dame Catherine during her lifetime. The Trust operates on a rolling application basis without fixed deadlines, making grants accessible year-round to eligible organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £100 - £100,000 (occasionally larger for exceptional circumstances)

• Rolling application basis
• Online application form required
• Preference for capital expenditure projects
• Small grants (under £3,000) available to registered charities

Priority Areas

The Trust supports a wide range of charitable purposes, with particular focus on:

• Young People and Disadvantaged Groups: Projects that directly benefit children, youth, and disadvantaged populations
• Health and Medical: Cancer research, hospice care, disability support, medical equipment
• Education and Training: Schools, educational institutions, youth development programs
• Arts and Culture: Theatre, music, performing arts organizations
• Environment and Conservation: Environmental projects and conservation initiatives
• General Charitable Purposes: Broad range of community benefit projects

Geographic Priority: Strong preference for charities operating in the North East of England, particularly organizations serving communities where Dame Catherine lived and worked.

What They Don't Fund

• Core/ongoing financing or operational costs
• Foreign applications (outside UK)
• Personal applications from individuals
• Sports clubs and sports associations

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• David Stuart Spencer Hawkins - Chair
• Pamela Helen Louise Mallen - Trustee (appointed March 2021)
• Peter Magnay - Trustee
• Danny Sallows - Trustee

The trustees oversee grant-making decisions and ensure the Trust's activities align with Dame Catherine's charitable intentions. One or more trustees receive payments for providing services to the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application: Complete the online application form at catherinecookson.com/application-form/

Application Requirements:

• Organization details and registration information
• Clear description of grant purpose
• Category selection (Education, Medical, Children's Services, etc.)
• Specific funding amount requested
• Detailed cost breakdown
• Information about other funding sources
• Bank details for payment processing
• Agreement to Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Previous Applicants: The form includes an option to indicate if you have received funding previously

Decision Timeline

The Trust operates on a rolling basis with no set application deadlines or time limits. However, specific decision timeframes are not publicly disclosed. Due to high application volume, organizations should expect some waiting period for decision notifications.

Success Rates

The Trust receives a “large number of applications” but does not publicly disclose specific statistics about total applications received, grants awarded, or success rates. This high volume of applications has led to the Trust's current policy of prioritizing local North East England charities.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy or waiting period is publicly stated. The application form allows organizations to indicate previous funding history, suggesting repeat applications are considered.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Indicators

Geographic Alignment: Organizations based in or serving the North East of England have significantly higher chances of success. The Trust explicitly states their policy prioritizes “local charities within the North East of England.”

Capital Projects: The Trust states that “projects directed towards capital expenditure are preferred,” suggesting equipment purchases, building improvements, and tangible assets are more competitive than operational funding requests.

Connection to Dame Catherine's Interests: Organizations or causes that Dame Catherine supported during her lifetime may receive consideration even outside the North East region.

Young and Disadvantaged Focus: Applications demonstrating clear benefit to children, young people, or disadvantaged populations align with stated priorities.

Local Community Benefit: Projects showing direct, measurable impact on local communities in the North East are viewed favorably.

Recent Funded Projects

The Trust has supported diverse organizations including:

• Marie Curie Hospice Newcastle: Equipment purchase (12 specialist beds, 16 mattresses, 8 syringe pumps)
• Evelina London Children's Hospital: Transport ventilators for critically ill children
• Wag & Co: 7.5 Visiting Wag Teams for elderly companionship and wellbeing
• Cancer Research UK Newcastle Centre: Research funding
• Charity Sanctuary Community Sustainability: Purchase of 4 homes for refugee families
• Auckland Castle Trust, RNIB, Theatre Royal Newcastle: £100,000 grants each (2016/17)
• Guide Dogs, Autism Initiatives, Northern Ballet, YMCA Newcastle: Various grant amounts

Grant Distribution Pattern (2016/17)

• 25.3% Health
• 23.1% Arts, culture and heritage
• 16.1% Children and young people
• 15.2% Education
• 12.3% Disability

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• North East location is critical: While exceptions exist, geographic alignment with the North East of England dramatically improves success likelihood given the high application volume and stated policy priorities.

• Emphasize capital needs over operational costs: Frame applications around specific equipment, building improvements, or tangible assets rather than general running costs or staff salaries.

• Demonstrate local community impact: Clearly articulate how the project will benefit specific communities in the North East, using concrete metrics and outcomes.

• Highlight work with young or disadvantaged people: Even if not the sole focus, emphasizing benefits to these groups aligns with explicit Trust priorities.

• Be thorough but realistic: The online application requires detailed cost breakdowns and information about other funding sources—be comprehensive and transparent.

• Consider timing strategically: With rolling applications and no deadlines, apply when your project is well-developed and you can demonstrate readiness to deliver.

• The Trust values Dame Catherine's legacy: Understanding her biography, values, and the communities she supported may help frame applications that resonate with trustees maintaining her philanthropic vision.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Garfield Weston Foundation
• THE SIR JAMES KNOTT TRUST
• BENEFACT TRUST LIMITED
• The Edward Gostling Foundation
• The Gerald and Gail Ronson Family Foundation
• The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
• Cumbria Community Foundation
• The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust
• THE EXILARCH'S FOUNDATION
• THE CALLEVA FOUNDATION
• THE EVESON TRUST
• THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
• THE BLUE THREAD
• THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION
• The Hill Foundation
• The Beatrice Laing Trust
• MOTABILITY Foundation
• National Lottery
• JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION LIMITED
• JINGLE JAM

References

1. The Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust official website - https://catherinecookson.com/charitable-trust/

1. Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust Application Form - https://catherinecookson.com/application-form/

1. Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust Beneficiaries - https://catherinecookson.com/beneficiaries/

1. UK Charity Commission Register - The Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust (272895) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=272895&subid=0

1. Charity Commission Trustees Register - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/272895/trustees

1. Philanthropy North East - Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust profile

1. National Churches Trust - Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust information - https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/support-organisations/catherine-cookson-charitable-trust